Backyard Taco
A+Cutting Edge1562 S Signal Butte Rd, Apache Junction 85120
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking · Permit FD-83988
Score based on 10 scored inspections on record, weighted toward recent visits (one-year half-life). How scoring works
County record last checked Sep 22, 2026.
Score over time
Inspection history13 on record
2026
Jul 9, 2026RoutinecleanA+
No County legal action will result from this inspection.This establishment is enrolled in the Maricopa County Environmental Services Cutting Edge Program and is on the Cutting Edge of food safety.No violations noted. Inspection report emailed.
Apr 9, 2026RoutinecleanA+
No County legal action will result from this inspection.This establishment is enrolled in the Maricopa County Environmental Services Cutting Edge Program and is on the Cutting Edge of food safety.Discussed meat slicer/dicer, equipment may need approval. No violations noted at time of inspection. Inspection report emailed.
2025
Nov 20, 2025RoutinecleanA+
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.Provided cooling logs and guidance documents for educational purposes.
Sep 5, 2025Routine1 priorityB
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed 2 containers of salsa in walk-in cooler dated from 8/26 (4 days past discard date).
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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.18 - Priority: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Disposition. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4125/Food-SafetyOperator-Resources. Predefined Comment: All RTE/TCS foods past 7 days of preparation were discarded by PIC at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking must be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1).
Apr 9, 2025RoutinecleanA+
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
2024
Dec 16, 2024RoutinecleanA+
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Aug 2, 2024Re-InspectioncleanA°
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.The operator provided an emailed receipt for a licensed pest control application on 8/1/2024.
Jul 31, 2024Routine2 priority1 foundation1 coreC
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Inspector's notes
Observed several fruit flies in dry storage. Please have a licensed pest control applicator treat area to prevent further breeding. Provide receipt of service prior to 8.9.24.
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6-501.111 (C) - Priority Foundation: Controlling Pests; Approved Trapping Methods/Existence
Inspector's notes
Observed sanitizer bucket with 0 ppm of QUAT sanitizer. PIC, drained and refilled with proper levels of chlorine sanitizer. Please test regularly to ensure proper levels are maintained at all times.
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3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation
Inspector's notes
Observed 0 PPM of quat sanitizer dispensing into three compartment sink. PIC stated a service call will be made to get equipment repaired. Until repairs are made, chlorine will be used to sanitize dishes. Sanitizer compartment was filled to 50 PPM at time of inspection.
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PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114 (A-E) - Priority: Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4574/AMC-Toolbox---Food-Contact-Surfaces.
Inspector's notes
Observed birria with broth cooling in deep metal pans more than 4 inches hight, from the previous night with an internal temperature of 48*F.
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PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.14 - Priority: Cooling. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4617/AMC-Toolbox---Cooling. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods improperly cooled were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Cooked TCS foods must be cooled from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours for a total of 6 hours for cooling. Also discussed approved cooling methods to ensure proper temperature is reached.
Jan 11, 2024RoutinecleanA+
This establishment is on the Cutting Edge of food safety and was awarded an “A+” grade. This establishment received an A+ Grade and had 0 Priority and 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.No violations at the time of inspection. No County legal action will result from this inspection. Provided information to the operator regarding joining the Department's Cutting Edge Program. Please see https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants under the Active Managerial Control and Cutting Edge Program links for information on joining the program. Report was emailed. If you are unsure whether your email address is accurate, you may:Contact your inspector using the phone number or email on your last inspection report to review,orContact the Department using the email addresses below,o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities such as fast-food)o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities that are full-service restaurants)o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (facilities like grocery stores or retail food markets)o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (mobile food/special events/plan review)Note: If you need to update your email address and/or other contact information, please submit anadministrative change request form at the below websitehttps://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181or call 602-506-6824.Award: Cutting Edge A+,Review Complete: CHECKED,Review Notes: QA - TH (Changed grade to reflect participation in the Cutting Edge Program),Signer: Kevin Medina - Manager
2023
Dec 7, 2023Advisorynot scoredclean
This permit was approved for the Cutting Edge Program. Verified with the owner that this location uses the same approved polices as their other locations enrolled in this program.
Sep 21, 2023RoutinecleanA
This establishment received a(n) A Grade and had 0 Priority, 0 Priority Foundation violations on this inspection.No County legal action will result from this inspection.**Talked to manager about illness policy, food manager licenses, and pest control services.Confirmed email with managerOn July 1st, 2023, the Environmental Services Department started emailing permit card(s) and permit invoice(s) to permittees. We need a current and accurate email address on file to ensure you receive a copy of your permit card and invoice(s) upon renewal.If you are unsure whether your email address is accurate, you may:• Contact your inspector using the phone number or email on your last inspection report to review, or• Contact the Department using the email addresses below,o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities such as fast-food)o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities that are full-service restaurants)o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (facilities like grocery stores or retail food markets)o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (mobile food/special events/plan review)If you need to update your email address and/or other contact information, please submit an administrative change request form at the below websitehttps://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request-Form-181.Award: A,Embargo Lbs: 0,Food Manager Licenses: 1,Signer: Jesse Schwarz
Sep 5, 2023Reviewnot scoredclean
Final Construction inspection conducted with site superintendent Kent D. Construction completed and approved. Inspection report was emailed to Kent D. and managerCorrect the following items prior to routine inspection:1) Replace the ASSE 1024 on the ice machine water line for a dual check valve ASSE 1022 backflow preventer.This establishment/operation has demonstrated sufficient compliance to proceed with the issuance of the permit. To complete the permitting process, issuance of this permit, and begin operation, the applicant must first submit payment of the annual operating permit fee to the Department’s Administrative Services. Fees paid up to this inspection approval do not include the annual operating permit fee. PAYMENT with a credit/debit card can be made via phone at 602-506-6824, Option 2. Per MCEHC Chapter I, Regs 4 & 5, no person shall conduct an operation or operate an establishment for which a permit is required without holding the necessary and valid permit to do so. Payment with a credit/debit card can be made on-line via select Pay a Fee at esd.maricopa.gov. Please note that if you select payment via online, the annual operating permit fee invoice may take up to 7 business days to post online. Also, checks and money orders are accepted via US Mail. If you select payment via US Mail, for further instructions please refer to the printed invoice. No operating permit is valid, until the permit fee is received by the Department. It is the responsibility of the permit holder/owner to notify MCESD if there are contact/ billing address changes.The Environmental Services Department will begin emailing permit card(s) and permit invoice(s) to permittees in the coming months. We need a current and accurate email address on file to ensure you receive a copy of your permit card and invoice(s) upon renewal.If you are unsure whether your email address is accurate, you may:• Contact your inspector using the phone number or email on your last inspection report to review, or• Contact the Department using the email addresses below,o Envquickservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities such as fast-food)o Envfullservicerestaurants@maricopa.gov (facilities that are full-service restaurants)o Envretailgrocery@maricopa.gov (facilities like grocery stores or retail food markets)o Envspecialtyprograms@maricopa.gov (mobile food/special events/plan review) Note: If you need to update your email address and/or other contact information, please submit an administrative change request form at the below website https://www.maricopa.gov/FormCenter/Environmental-Services-16/Administrative-Change-Request- Form-181 or call 602-506-6824.A certified food manager is required at time of approval. If not already obtained, please obtain your certified food manager certificate from an ANSI approved testing company. All other food handlers must obtain ANSI approved food handler certificates. No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Aug 24, 2023Reviewnot scoredclean
Equipment inspection conducted with Site Superintendent Kent D. and Adam C.. At the time of this inspection, this project was about 90% complete. Inspection report was emailed to Kent D. and Adam C.Backflow reports provided at time of inspection.No RO system noted onsite. Correct/address the following items prior to final inspection:1) Provide a spill proof vacuum breaker backflow device or remove the spring/handle from the water fill faucet underneath the hood. 2) Provide an ASSE 1022 dual check valve backflow preventer upstream of each iced tea brewer and the ice machine maker. 3) Provide a longer faucet at the 3-compartment sink that reaches all three basins.4) Lift/trim all drain lines so that they are 1-inch above the floor sink. Provide metal clamps instead of zip ties. 5) Provide a sneeze guard for the front area near the to go area. The length of the prep table. 6) Ensure hot water reaches 45 seconds to all sink fixtures.7) Ensure all hand sinks have a hot water temperature of 100-110’F and all other sinks must have a hot water temperature of at least 110’F.8) Ensure all cold holding equipment is turned on and has an ambient air temperature of 41’F or below.9) Continue installing the sneeze guards for the salsa bar.10) Provide a 3/8” siliconized grout cove base to the floor juncture of the mop sink basin. Do not use standard silicone.11) Install FRP to the bottom cabinets below the soda equipment.12) Provide high temperature silver colored silicone to the gaps of all the hoods.13) Provide a semi or high gloss paint light in color to the restroom walls and ceiling. 14) Paint the exposed wood under the soda beverage station with a semi/high gloss paint.15) Ensure all light bulbs underneath the hood are in good working order.16) Provide a dog friendly patio sign.Please continue with construction according to plans, stipulation letter, and inspections. Please call (602) 526-0917 for a final inspection at 100% completion of project or if an additional onsite walk-through is needed. Please also ensure you have read your Responsibilities to Qualify for a Permit document and are in compliance with all requirements before final inspection. A certified food manager is required at time of approval. If not already obtained, please obtain your certified food manager certificate from an ANSI approved testing company. All other food handlers must obtain ANSI approved food handler certificates. No county legal action will result from the inspection.
Nearby restaurants
Other places to eat within a short walk, with their current scores.
- 91Black Rock Coffee BarB1458 S Signal Butte Rd · 140 m away
- 90First WatchA°1534 S Signal Butte Rd · 140 m away
- 100WhataburgerA1506 S Signal Butte Rd · 230 m away
- —Starbucks1519 S Signal Butte Rd · 220 m away
- 97Raising Cane'sA°1502 S Signal Butte Rd · 270 m away
- 95Wal-Mart SupercenterA+1606 S Signal Butte Rd · 350 m away
- 59Charley's Philly SteaksB°1606 S Signal Butte Rd · 350 m away
- 100Baskin RobbinsA1252 S Signal Butte Rd · 530 m away
Data from Maricopa County Environmental Services public records, last checked Sep 22, 2026. Grades marked with ° are computed equivalents for establishments not participating in the county's voluntary grading program. View official county records →